The Lamborghini Urus Super SUV will make its public UK dynamic debut at the 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed. Displayed at the Lamborghini village alongside the new Lamborghini Performante Spyder – the convertible version of the record-breaking coupé – the Urus will also run ‘up the hill’.

Lamborghini super sports cars making the hill climb include the Centenario Roadster: one of a limited edition of 20 produced together with 20 coupés. With a start price of two million euros, the Centenario was created to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Ferruccio Lamborghini’s birthday, and all sold prior to launch.

The Centenario is joined in the supercar paddock by the Huracán Performante and Spyder, as well as the Aventador S Coupé and Roadster. “Goodwood Festival of Speed marks the arrival of the Lamborghini Urus Super SUV in the UK, with the first cars about to be delivered to customers,” said Andrea Baldi, CEO Lamborghini EMEA. “The line-up of the Urus Super SUV as well as our V12 and V10 super sports cars means that fans of Lamborghini are promised a resounding display of iconic design and performance as each car runs up the Goodwood hill.”

Automobili Lamborghini announced record worldwide deliveries to customers last year of 3,815 cars across its Aventador and Huracán ranges. More than 350 cars were delivered in the UK during 2017, which was the third largest market for Lamborghini.

The Urus, first unveiled in December 2017 and officially launched earlier this year, features a 4.0 litre V8 twin-turbo engine delivering 650 hp. The Urus accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 3.6 seconds and, with a top speed of 190 mph, is the fastest SUV available. Lamborghini’s third model line, it will more than double sales worldwide as well as in the UK. The Lamborghini Urus retails in the UK from £165,000 on the road.

Twenty-six years from its last Grand Prix, the Minardi M191B chassis #003, equipped with a Lamborghini LE3512 V12 engine and one of the protagonists of Formula One in 1992, is back on the track.

The exciting shakedown organized by Lamborghini Squadra Corse is the result of a meticulous restoration carried out by Lamborghini Polo Storico with the support of former Lamborghini engineering personnel who were active on the Lamborghini F1 project in the early ’90s.

The Minardi M191B #003 is the first single-seater to be restored by Polo Storico. After being on display at the Lamborghini Museum in Sant’Agata Bolognese, the car underwent seven months of work to return to its original efficiency, with most of the original components maintained.

The tires, fuel tank, engine control unit, seat belts, and fire extinguishing system were replaced, while the other components were carefully restored, starting from the engine designed by Mauro Forghieri. The 12-cylinder LE3512 is still able to deliver the original almost 700 HP, enabling enthusiasts to relive the emotions of the golden years of Formula One.

The guests of honor on the occasion of its grand return are Mirko Bortolotti, Lamborghini factory driver, and Giancarlo Minardi. The founder of the Faenza-based team recalled the fruitful collaboration with Lamborghini that lasted for the entire 1992 season: “Seeing the models of 25 or 30 years ago is still exciting. They are the last cars before the beginning of telemetry and automatic transmissions. Apart from the growling noise, which still today brings back those wonderful times, it was a very flexible engine with enormous power starting from the low rpms.”

Entrusted to drivers Gianni Morbidelli and Christian Fittipaldi, the Minardi M191B #003 competed in the first Grand Prix races of 1992 before being replaced by the M192, also equipped with a Lamborghini engine. The best result achieved by the single-seater restored by Polo Storico was 11th place with Christian Fittipaldi at the wheel at the Spanish GP, and it is now ready to return to racing and competing in the championships dedicated to historic F1 races. The testing outcome was very positive: the car ran more than 20 laps without any problem and the Lamborghini engine perfectly maintained all the features that so impressed Ayrton Senna during the tests at Estoril in 1993.

We recently ventured into Italy to witness Automobili Lamborghini launch its third model, the Lamborghini Urus. The Lamborghini Urus is the first Super Sport Utility Vehicle and hence creates a new niche in the luxury segment with benchmarking power, performance and driving dynamics, unparalleled design, luxury and daily usability.

The Lamborghini Urus stays true to the Lamborghini DNA in terms of design, performance, driving dynamics and emotion and is drivable every day in a range of environments. It is in other words a powerful luxury SUV with a super sports car dynamism that can be enjoyed by both driver and passengers.

Its low-line coupé styling and commanding road position gives it a super car look and feel but once we got in and, it felt comfortable with a higher ground clearance and the luxurious space inside is coupled with the latest technologies.

The Urus provides easy driving in the city, maximum comfort during long journeys, thrilling super sports car dynamics on the road and track, and versatile off-road abilities in a range of environments.

The Lamborghini Urus has a dual personality: it is multi-dimensional. It can be specified to be as sporty or as elegant as the owner wishes, and can equally be used as a daily luxury drive or provide an exhilarating super sports experience.

The driving modes to select from include the Strada, Sport, Corsa, Neve, Terra and Sabbia and there offers a more enhance drive experience on road, track, sand, snow etc.

The Urus features a 4.0 liter V8 twin-turbo engine delivering 650 hp (478 kW) at 6,000 rpm, maximum 6,800 rpm, and 850 Nm of maximum torque already at 2,250 rpm. With 162.7 hp/l the Urus claims one of the highest specific power outputs in its class and the best weight-to-power ratio at 3,38 kg/hp.

The Urus accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 3.6 seconds, 0-200 km/h in 12,8 seconds and with a top speed of 305 km/h. This makes it the fastest SUV available on the market.

The Lamborghini URUS is built in an entirely new factory using the latest robotic manufacturing technology to work in tandem with the human workers on the floor and where we were for the launch event.

The Lamborghini Museum in Sant’Agata Bolognese ended an extraordinary year, thanks to the record breaking number of visitors from all over the world, which reached the 100,000 milestone in 2017.

With a two-and-a-half increase in turnover in just two years, the museum space of Lamborghini has attracted aficionados of every nationality: Europe, excluding Italy (which accounts for 30% of visitors) is the main catchment area with 42%, of which Germany (9%), France and Great Britain (5% each) and Holland (4%) take the lion’s share. They are followed by visitors from America (15%) and lastly from the Asia-Pacific region (13%).

In terms of visitor profile, 2017 saw a significant number of under-18 fans and an increasing presence of women, over 35%. 50% of visitors arrived between July and October, whereas the peak weekdays were Saturday, Monday and Friday. The Lamborghini Museum’s unique offer of a visit to the production lines, shut down during public holidays, certainly contributes to visitor appeal.

This major success for the Lamborghini Museum is due not only to the recent restyling of the entire exhibition complex, which boasts a rich collection of historic and current models, but also to the exhibition on the great Ayrton Senna and to the increasing attraction of the Raging Bull brand among aficionados and sightseers from all over the world.

When the exhibition dedicated to Senna came to a close, the Museum was completely reorganized. It follows Lamborghini’s entire history with a classification of models according to their engine type, right up to the Urus and to the two cars at the root of its creation: the LM002 and the extremely rare Cheetah.

A programme of new exhibitions about the world of Lamborghini is currently in preparation, shortly to be announced.

The Museum, which is located inside the company premises in Sant’Agata Bolognese, is open seven days a week from 9.30 a.m. to 7.00 p.m.

The Aventador S Roadster is presented by Automobili Lamborghini at the IAA in Frankfurt, combining the technologies and driving dynamics of the Aventador S with an emotive open air driving experience.

“The new Aventador S Roadster sets new benchmarks in technology and performance on both road and track, with the roadster version adding a new dimension in driving enjoyment,” says Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Stefano Domenicali. “The Aventador S Roadster offers the thrill of open air driving without compromising on driving dynamics or the occupants’ comfort, and adds a further luxurious dimension through the personalization options available.”

The Aventador S Roadster is the only mid-rear engine V12 super sports roadster. Alongside class-leading performance figures, the roadster’s unique status is enhanced by multiple color and trim options, including new materials and extensive use of carbon fiber as well as virtually limitless potential through Lamborghini’s Ad Personam personalization program.

Air and space – the aerodynamic roadster design

The roadster maintains the unmistakable design of the Aventador S along with unique features reflecting its roadster persona: a combination of distinctive Lamborghini design DNA and the result of extensive aerodynamic testing.

The car’s rear sports distinctively different lines to the coupé, giving the roadster its own aerodynamic character. An engine bridge runs from the back window to the rear in a mix of body color and matt black painted carbon fiber engine bonnet blades: a transparent option is also available to show off the V12 engine within.

Sleek, removable, hardtop roof panels, weighing less than six kg, are convexly molded to ensure maximum cabin space for the occupants. Finished in matt black carbon fiber, optional specifications including high gloss black, shiny visible carbon fiber, and further Ad Personam possibilities. An easy fastening system allows the roof panels to be quickly removed and stored in the front trunk.

The rear window is electrically operated at the push of a button for drivers wanting to hear the beat of the V12 powerplant: while closed during roofless driving, the window minimizes cabin noise and airflow.

Color and trim, inside and out

Complementing external colors, five interior configurations are offered, featuring leather and Alcantara in single and bi-color combinations and various stitching and trim choices. Further external and internal packages such as ‘branding’ and ‘carbon fiber’ are offered, with the Ad Personam program for clients wanting to customize their Aventador S Roadster even further.

Clients can also select the internal specification of the roof panels: covered in black Alcantara framed by matt black carbon as standard, an optional Carbon Skin package (Lamborghini’s high tech fabric that is even lighter than Alcantara) can cover the interior roof panels as well as around the cockpit and parts of the cabin.

The Aventador S Roadster is launched in the Ad Personam Color Blu Aegir, inspired by the peaceful turquoise ocean hiding an indomitable force beneath: sophisticated yet powerful, with extensive use of carbon fiber.

The wing mirrors and windscreen frame are finished in high gloss carbon fiber while the lower part of the car including front and rear bumper, side skirts, air intakes and outlets are in visible carbon fiber.

The configuration internally demonstrates the potential of the Ad Personam program, using Blu Delphinus leather contrasted with Bianco Polar, with Blu Delphinus S-trim stripes on seats, doors and dashboard and even the floor mats in blue and white.

Aventador S Roadster – design and technologies

The Aventador Roadster’s ‘S’ suffix denotes the design and technology advancements of the new model. The Roadster adopts the four-wheel drive, new active suspension, new four-wheel steering system, and the new EGO driving mode introduced on the Aventador S coupé, and with the redevelopment of every aspect of suspension and electronic control systems, its ‘total control concept’ assures superior drive, ride and performance.

Enhanced lateral control from the new four-wheel steering provides improved agility at low speed and more stability at high speed, combined with Lamborghini Dynamic Steering (LDS) for responsive feedback and sharper turn-in. Improved vertical control comes from updated pushrod suspension, new rear springs and Lamborghini Magneto-rheological Suspension (LMS) with revised kinematics adapted to the new four-wheel steering. A new real-time variable damping system optimizes wheel and body control and balance and ground stiffness is maximized.

A optimized ESC system improves longitudinal control for faster and more precise management of traction control and vehicle dynamics depending on driving mode selected, maximizing grip in all conditions and enhancing handling. The permanent four-wheel drive’s calibration allows for the stabilizing effect of the new rear-wheel steering, allowing more torque to the rear axle: when powering off, less torque is shifted to the front axle to allow a sporty but safe drive.

The active rear wing optimizes the car’s aerodynamic balance depending on speed and the selected drive mode, and its significantly enhanced overall aerodynamic design improves front downforce by more than 130% over the previous Aventador. With the wing in optimum position the roadster achieves over 50% overall efficiency at high downforce and in low drag more than 400%.

The Aventador S Roadster’s four driving modes allows selection of STRADA, SPORT and CORSA and the new EGO mode, each influencing every aspect of the car’s behavior through management of traction, steering and suspension. EGO allows the driver to set up his preferred criteria in each mode to suit his driving style.

Accelerating 0-100km/h in just 3.0 seconds, with a top speed equal to the Aventador S coupé of 350 km/h, the Aventador S Roadster weighs just 50 kg more than the coupé. Its 6.5 liter V12 engine outputs the same 740 hp as the coupé, with 690 Nm of torque at 5,500 rpm. The seven-speed lightweight Independent Shifting Rod (ISR) transmission provides robotized gearshifts in up to 50 milliseconds, with carbon ceramic brakes as standard. Dione 20”/21” rims are fitted with Pirelli P Zero tires especially developed for the Aventador S. Inside, the TFT digital dashboard can be customized to the driver’s preferences and Apple CarPlay™ is standard.

With the hills of Tuscany as the backdrop and in the company of fellow supercar motoring enthusiasts from around the globe over a few days, I recently tested the new Lamborghini Aventador S which has a new aerodynamic design, redeveloped suspension, increased power and new driving dynamics.

The ‘S’ is the suffix of previous enhanced Lamborghini models and defines a new benchmark for the V12 Lamborghini and indicates the new Aventador generation, redesigned to achieve maximum aerodynamic efficiency while accenting the Aventador’s complex, muscular dynamism.

According to Automobili Lamborghini Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Stefano Domenicali, the Aventador S has a visionary design, cutting-edge technology with driving dynamics that elevates the concept of super sports cars to a new level.

A more aggressive nose and longer front splitter redirect airflow for better aerodynamic efficiency, improved engine cooling and increased cooling to the radiators. Two air ducts in the side of the front bumper reduce aerodynamic interference from the front tires and optimize wake flow to the rear radiator.

The rear of the Aventador S is dominated by a black diffuser, available on request in carbon fiber, characterized by a number of vertical fins that amplify the airflow effects, reduce drag through pressure recovery and generate downforce. Three single exhaust outlets exit through the rear bumper.

During the drive, we learnt how the rear wing, movable in three positions depending on speed and drive select mode, optimizes the car’s improved overall balance, working with vortex generators created in the front and rear of the chassis’ underside that maximize air flow as well as assist in brake cooling.

With the Aventador S design, the front downforce has been improved by more than 130% over the previous Aventador coupé. When the wing is in its optimum position the overall efficiency at high downforce is improved by over 50%, and in low drag by more than 400% compared to the previous model.

The Aventador S is redeveloped around a ‘total control concept’ to provide a superior drive, ride and performance; every aspect of the car’s suspension and electronic control systems has been advanced, with the goal of particularly enhanced control and driving emotion.

Also interesting is the smart Lamborghini Dinamica Veicolo Attiva (LDVA) control unit that manage these systems in the car. LDVA is the new brain of the car, which receives real time and precise information on body motion via input from all sensors of the car and defines the best set-up of all active systems that guarantee the best vehicle dynamics in each situation.

The Aventador S is more agile with a reduced turning radius, ensuring higher performance in curves and making it easy to maneuver in town and at low speeds. On the tracks, I tried all four different driving modes: STRADA, SPORT, CORSA and the new EGO mode, which influence the behavior of the traction (engine, gearbox, 4WD), steering (LRS, LDS, Servotronic) and suspension (LMS).

EGO is the new driving mode option. This provides several additional and individual set-up profiles, customizable by the driver’s preferred criteria for traction, steering and suspension within the STRADA, SPORT and CORSA settings.

In STRADA, the progressive damping is smoothed for better comfort and stability on rough roads. Torque is split 40/60 to the front and rear as standard: safe and stable with maximum adhesion, the car is easily driven and controlled.

In SPORT mode, the stabilizing effect of the Lamborghini Rear-wheel Steering allows up to 90% torque to the rear wheels for maximum sportiness and driving fun on curving roads. Driving precision and driver feedback is improved, while maintaining safety and without compromising on comfort.

While I drove mainly in SPORT mode, I tried the CORSA as well experiencing less intrusive dynamic and traction control intervention while maintaining driving precision and traction. In this mode, high levels of damping force maximize driver feeling and feedback from driver inputs including steering, braking and throttle.

Counter-phase steering is enhanced in high-performance situations and torque is balanced to both axles, with a maximum 20/80 split to front and rear for more neutral behavior and to maximize track-oriented performance.

The Lamborghini Aventador’s naturally aspirated twelve cylinder, 6.5 liter engine outputs an additional 40 hp over its predecessor, to a maximum 740 hp, with a 690 Nm of torque at 5,500 rpm. Acceleration from 0-100 km/h is reached in 2.9 seconds, with a top speed of 350 km/h. Transmission is provided by Lamborghini’s lightweight Independent Shifting Rod (ISR) 7-speed shifting system, providing robotized gear shifts in up to 50 milliseconds.

The Aventador S comes with new, specially developed set of Pirelli P Zero tires. Designed to optimize steering, traction, lane changes and braking efficiency, the tires are specifically designed to respond to the dynamic behavior induced by the Lamborghini Rear-wheel Steering, ensuring handling consistency and driver feedback.

The training at the Mugello Circuit with the Aventador S enthralled the most seasoned supercar drivers and owners and the thrills on the tracks proved once again the brand’s superior road power that exudes only from a Lamborghini.

To celebrate UAE National Day, Lamborghini and its owners formed the UAE flag with the supercars outside the Abu Dhabi Showroom before parading along Corniche Street towards Yas Island where they finished their celebrations with a private dinner.